The Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII) is the main Public Research Entity funding, managing and carrying out biomedical research in Spain.
The Institute has been conducting research and providing key services in the life and health sciences for over 20 years. It is also the body responsible for managing Spain's Health Research and Development Strategy within the framework of the National R+D+I Plan.
The ISCIII reports directly to the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Royal Decree 345/2012) and in operational terms to both this Ministry and to the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (Royal Decree 200/2012). Its key mission is to support the development of scientific knowledge in the health sciences and to contribute to innovation in healthcare and the prevention of disease.
Putting patients and the public at the heart of all its activities and objectives, the Institute promotes and coordinates biomedical research and provides scientific and technical services of the highest quality in partnership with all the organisations forming part of the Spanish System of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Mission
The key mission of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) is to provide scientific and technical services for the National Health System and to promote and carry out research in the Health and Life Sciences.
Vision
The ISCIII is the national institution responsible for the Health Research and Development Strategy (AES) of the National R+D+I Plan. It operates via three planning, management and operational areas: the AES; its own Centres, Foundations, Networks and Consortiums; and Scientific and Technical Services Platforms, the leading international support service for biomedical research in Spain.
Function
The activities of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) focus on three areas:
Strategy
The strategic planning of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) is part of the National Strategy for Science and Technology (ENCYT) and the National R+D+I Plan and is subject to the guidelines established by the Joint Committee of representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality.
The ISCIII implements this strategy via the following instruments:
Its basic objectives are: